Blues defenders itching for action

A COMPETITIVE match can't come quickly enough for Carlton's defenders, who are itching to put injury woes behind them and shore up their positions ahead of a new season.

Lachie Henderson, Michael Jamison, Jeremy Laidler, Simon White and Marcus Davies all missed chunks of games last year but are set to play in the Blues' opening NAB Cup games against Greater Western Sydney and Sydney in Blacktown on Sunday.

While Carlton's players are all eager to show their capabilities to new coach Mick Malthouse, Henderson said the defenders would almost need to reacquaint themselves with one another given how hard the back line was hit by injury in 2012.

''Yeah, big time, especially with the likes of Matty Watson coming up and Simon White, who has got his body right, so he's flying too,'' Henderson said on Saturday.

''There's a few spots up for grabs and we've really got to try to cement our own spots. Nothing's in concrete at this time of the year.''

Henderson has grown accustomed to playing as a key defender despite arriving at Carlton from Brisbane as a forward, but considers himself more of a backman so long as he can stay fit.

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The 23-year-old played only 11 games last year because of a groin injury that required surgery and a steady focus over the summer on strengthening his lower body.

''I had surgery three-quarters of the way through last year and then it was a very gradual build-up,'' he said.

''I got some good work done and then through this pre-season I've worked into it. I'm looking forward to playing, I'm a bit toey myself having not played for a while.''

Carlton has also named forward Sam Rowe for his first match against another club since the 25-year-old recovered from testicular cancer last year.

''Rowey was unbelievable from day one when we first found out as a playing group,'' Henderson said.

''His positivity to it all was amazing. We always saw him whenever he could get here. Through the worst times he was here. Then September, October he started. He did a bike ride back then and then worked his arse off to get back.

''You see him now, the body's looking good, the rigs are looking good and he's got the biceps.

''He's going really, really well and just for the boys it's a massive pick-up. To see someone go through something like that and to get back and to be going as well as he's going, it's a great story.''

Midfielder Marc Murphy will captain Carlton against the Giants and Nick Duigan will take the reins against the Swans.

Kade Simpson and Andrew Carrazzo, the other Blues touted as Chris Judd's potential successor, will get their chance to lead the side throughout the pre-season competition before Malthouse appoints the skipper before the premiership season.